Lionel Only One Catalog For 2013?

Charlie Nassau posted a week or so ago the same info.  Unfortunately it sounds like the real deal.  I guess the new marketing folks think we only need on Signature catalog a year.

Didn't Lionel state that during the York grandstand presentation?

Jim

Look at it positively, many folks will only have half as much to complain about.  Gosh...what will they do with their extra time?

I like having just one catalog. When they release two, it's always a crapshoot on what to order from Vol. 1 knowing that you may want something from Vol. 2 even more.

Now you order what you want, plain and simple.

And take heart: MTH is still pumping out multiple catalogs just like they always have!  

Look at it this way... we pretty much knew all along that the blow-outs from 2012 and early 2013 were never gonna be something that happens annually -- at least not on the scale we saw this time.  Would be nice if they would, but that's not realistic... and surely not something the importers would plan by design -- aside from clearing out inventory when new stuff arrives.  SOLUTION:  Lengthen the time between catalogs, so too much new stuff doesn't force premature blow-outs on existing inventory.

As I noted in an earlier thread... the new guys (i.e., Lionel's new executive management) may not be "train guys" at heart, but they nonetheless seem to have a handle on trying to manage inventory given people's reluctance to overspend right now.

Even as it is right now... there's still one heck of a lot of inventory in an overly saturated market.  So it's a good thing to forgo the 2013 Volume II catalog.

David

As with others who have been in the 3 rail O gauge segment of the hobby for a long time, I remember the days of one catalog per year and that was when there was just one main manufacturer - Lionel. The prospect of just one catalog doesn't bother me in the least.

Bob  

Thank God!  I don't think I or my wallet could have made it through a second round!

I think that this is a very smart move on their part. They have a new leadership team and it gives then sufficient time to measure what we want as buyers and to chart the future direction for the company in terms of product offerings. It also gives the dealers the opportunity to reduce their inventory before adding several new items. I think that it is a win-win situation for all concerned.

One catalog a year should also make the production and shipping schedules more realistic.

Rusty

I agree. I'd much rather see one catalogue where almost all items were delivered on time, than 2 or more in which many items were delayed or cancelled. 

Considering that a lot of the contents of the Vol. 2 catalogs were repeat items from the Signature (Vol. 1) catalogs, I thing that it is a smart move.  If they want to do new "uncatalogued' items between the Signature catalogs, they can include flyers with the Christmas catalog.

Andy

I agree with Andy and Nicole.  One catalog a year is enough.  Back orders on products were not delivered and another catalog would come out.  The 2nd catalog was more repeats than new stuff.  As Andy mentioned, if something new comes out during the year, do a flyer and take orders.

I agree too!  One catalog per year is enough.

I honesty think they will be delivering the same amount of product per year even if they stick to one catalog. 

I'm spending enough money out of the one catalog and really don't care to see a Vol. 2.  I believe it is a great idea.  It just doubles the anticipation for the one that does come out.

TEX

Steve

What is good about one catalog is that I can't afford anything from just one catalog instead of two! Seriously, I agree with a lot of others that with only one catalog, it makes choosing something easier to make because there is no tomorrow. Obviously repeats will be cut back too. Quality instead of quantity will be the catch phrase of the new management team!

This information was certainly of interest, and was one of a number of things that no one reported from York. I found out about it from my local dealer when he returned from York. Just one catalog (plus Christmas) for 2013.

A good thing in my book, as well. There's still so much earlier stuff to catch up on!

Well I my self rather see one catalog a year.

When we were growing up there was only one and that was fine.

 I don't think we need 5 books of stuff that pices don't get made.

 One book and every things gets made. Rather see that all items get made.

I'm fine with one major catalog per year for the hobbyist, and perhaps smaller "special interest" catalogs, or even pamphlets/brochures, for things like starter sets, Christmas items, or smaller lines such as tinplate, Flyer, NASCAR, or whatever.

I have been recommending this for some years now, and like most others here, would much prefer to see the emphasis placed on on-time production rather than a treasure trove of dream stuff, some of which will never even be produced.

I think it's a good idea as well. I think they have just been re-listing items in several catalogs to make them seem bigger. I just hopes this means that the Christmas catalog will be better than other years, and that the 2014 catalog will be amazing!

I can live with the one catalog but remember how much excitement and anticipation as the catalogs release gets close.  Now only once a year.

If Lionel does a few of those special introductions then maybe the excitement in the fall will still be there.

Personally I have more than enough, but still find myself buying.

Jim